Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has reduced the downtown curfew hours as conditions stabilize following a week of unrest sparked by unannounced immigration enforcement raids.
Beginning Monday, the curfew will run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., replacing the earlier, broader restriction. The new hours apply to the downtown core bounded by the 5, 10 and 110 freeways.
Bass first implemented the curfew last Tuesday amid reports of vandalism, looting and confrontations with police during protests against the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and a spate of high-profile immigration raids at local businesses and other public spaces.
The decision to scale back the curfew, authorities said, is because the level of tension has eased and coordination between demonstrations and law enforcement has since improved.
“The curfew, coupled with ongoing crime prevention efforts, have been largely successful in protecting stores, restaurants, businesses and residential communities from bad actors who do not care about the immigrant community,” Bass said in a statement. “Today, I am narrowing the curfew as we continue to quickly adjust to changing posturing out of Washington.”
The curfew was originally put in place after the Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly outside the downtown Federal Building on June 10, and protesters shut down portions of the 101 Freeway. The unrest also prompted a citywide emergency declaration and the establishment of a unified command with local and regional law enforcement agencies.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the narrower curfew reflects the “progress we’ve made in reducing crime and vandalism” but warned the department will maintain a strong presence downtown.
More than 30,000 people demonstrated Saturday in what officials called largely peaceful protests that were part of a nationwide movement to protest the actions of the Trump Administration. Millions of demonstrators across the globe took part in the protests, which coincided in a much maligned parade in Washington D.C. which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, and happened to fall on the president’s birthday.
On Monday, councilmembers representing parts of the curfew zone voiced support for the decision to ease restrictions.
“Pushing the curfew start time is a step in the right direction,” said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. “We’re committed to supporting Downtown L.A. residents, small businesses, and workers while standing proudly with our immigrant communities and peaceful demonstrators who make our city vibrant and strong.”
The latest information on these protests and curfew guidelines can be found here.
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